History of the Victor Harbor Rock ’N’ Roll Festival
The Victor Harbor Rock ’N’ Roll Festival kicked off in 2008 as a way to bring some energy and colour to our seaside town. What started as a one-day celebration of 1950s rock and roll – with live music, dancing, and classic cars – quickly became something much bigger. Right from the beginning, it was all about community, connection, and having a good time.
By 2009, the event had already doubled in size, stretching out across the whole weekend. More stages popped up, the car display grew, and dancers took to the streets. Locals and visitors alike embraced the vintage spirit, turning the festival into a regular fixture on Victor Harbor’s calendar.
FLASHBACK:
Weekend Winners from 2010!
- Best Dressed Male: Rod Taylor
- Best Dressed Female: Emma Roberts
- Best Dressed Couple: Tattoo & Christine
- Honorable mention for best dressed couple: Yvonne & Ray Marcu.
- Best Family prize:
Tony, Janet, Jesse & Bonnie Jansen.
Over the years, the festival kept growing. More bands, more markets, more dancing, and plenty of polished chrome. People came from across South Australia – and further afield – to join in. The fashion parades, best dressed competitions, and car cruises became crowd favourites, giving everyone a chance to show off their style.
Ocean Street has come alive again in recent years, with music back on the pavement and the classic vehicle display stretching further than ever. Even after the pandemic forced a pause, the festival bounced back with the same energy and a few new ideas to keep things fresh.
Some of South Australia’s best rock and roll and rockabilly acts have taken the stage over the years – The Satellites, The Chevytones, The Lincolns, Cool Rockin’ Daddy and many more – keeping dancers on their feet and the good times rolling.
Highlights from 2013:
“A big welcome to a number of first time bands this year, including Raunchy Sugar, Mack Brown Rox and Dick Dandy and the wingmen. The Memphis Suns performed at our very first festival and we welcome them back!”
It’s not just about the music, though. The whole town gets involved. Shopfronts go retro, volunteers roll up their sleeves, and festivalgoers dress to impress. From jiving in the street to snapping selfies in front of rows of vintage cars, it’s a weekend full of fun, nostalgia, and community pride.
In 2024, the festival moved to new local management and was named Victor Harbor’s Community Event of the Year – a nod to how much it means to the town, and to everyone who’s been part of it along the way.